End of the 2024–2025 Flu Season in Lithuania: How It Differed from Previous Years
The National Public Health Centre (NPHC) under the Ministry of Health informs that the 2024–2025 flu season officially ended in week 20 of this year (May 12–18). This season began in October 2024 (week 40). From now on, there will be no weekly reports on the number of flu cases and hospitalizations, but the incidence will continue to be monitored, and relevant information will be provided to the public as needed.
According to the data possessed by NPHC, between May 12–18 (week 20), the overall incidence rate of flu, acute upper respiratory tract infections (AURIs), and COVID-19 in Lithuania slightly increased to 804.3 cases per 100,000 inhabitants (up from 729.9 cases in week 19). The flu incidence this season is lower than it was at the same time last year (in week 20 of 2024, 933.6 cases per 100,000 inhabitants).
The lowest incidence rate was recorded in Utena County, while the highest was in Vilnius County. No Municipality reached epidemic levels of illness.
In the previous week, 7 people were hospitalized due to the flu, and 10 due to COVID-19. There were no reported deaths from either the flu or COVID-19.
How to Protect Yourself?
While the flu season has ended, it is still recommended to continue following proper hand hygiene, cough, and sneeze etiquette—covering your mouth and nose with a tissue, regularly ventilating indoor spaces, and cleaning them with a damp cloth. If you experience symptoms such as a sore throat, headache, nasal congestion, or runny nose, consult your doctor.
Overview of the 2024–2025 Flu Season:
- The highest flu incidence rate was recorded in week 5 of 2025 (1910.5 cases per 100,000 inhabitants), which was the highest compared to previous flu seasons.
- Flu epidemic activity typically occurs in January and February. This season, flu seasonality was observed, with the highest flu incidence in week 4 of 2025 (January).
- The highest number of COVID-19 cases was recorded in August–September 2024 (the peak occurred in week 38).
- The 2024–2025 flu season was long and active, with all types of flu viruses circulating simultaneously, alongside SARS-CoV-2 and other AURI viruses, including the respiratory syncytial virus (RSV).
- No flu or COVID-19 epidemic was declared at the municipal or national level.
- Children accounted for about 50% of flu and AURI cases, a trend consistent with multi-year data.
- More people were hospitalized due to the flu compared to previous seasons. Information on COVID-19-related hospitalizations was also collected this season, with fewer COVID-19 patients than those hospitalized with seasonal flu.
- This season recorded the highest number of flu-related deaths in the history of long-term monitoring—75 deaths. The previous highest was in the 2023–2024 season (27 deaths). A higher number of flu and death cases can be attributed to changes in diagnostics, with rapid flu and COVID-19 tests introduced in healthcare facilities since October 2024, enabling more accurate diagnoses.
Incidence Data for Influenza, AURTI, and COVID-19 by County:
ministracinės teritorijos (apskritys) | 19 sav. (2025 m. gegužės 5– 11 d.) | 20 sav. (2025 m. gegužės 12– 18 d.) | ||||||||
Gripo atvejų skaičius | ŪVKTI atvejų skaičius | COVID-19 ligos atvejų skaičius | Suminis (gripo, ŪVKTI ir COVID-19 ligos) atvejų skaičius | Suminis rodiklis (gripo, ŪVKTI ir COVID-19 ligos atvejų skaičius 100 tūkst. gyventojų) | Gripo atvejų skaičius | ŪVKTI atvejų skaičius | COVID-19 ligos atvejų skaičius | Suminis (gripo, ŪVKTI ir COVID-19 ligos) atvejų skaičius | Suminis rodiklis (gripo, ŪVKTI ir COVID-19 ligos atvejų skaičius 100 tūkst. gyventojų) | |
Alytaus | 33 | 735 | 8 | 776 | 578,3 | 33 | 794 | 11 | 838 | 624,5 |
Kauno | 113 | 4224 | 34 | 4371 | 746,6 | 85 | 4734 | 30 | 4849 | 828,3 |
Klaipėdos | 55 | 2075 | 11 | 2141 | 630,0 | 35 | 2292 | 18 | 2345 | 690,0 |
Marijampolės | 14 | 881 | 2 | 897 | 666,1 | 9 | 1004 | 3 | 1016 | 754,5 |
Panevėžio | 55 | 1208 | 4 | 1267 | 606,0 | 33 | 1266 | 7 | 1306 | 624,6 |
Šiaulių | 35 | 1839 | 7 | 1881 | 705,0 | 30 | 1979 | 14 | 2023 | 758,2 |
Tauragės | 17 | 531 | 8 | 556 | 614,1 | 21 | 653 | 7 | 681 | 752,2 |
Telšių | 19 | 714 | 2 | 735 | 561,4 | 9 | 784 | 5 | 798 | 609,6 |
Utenos | 9 | 689 | 3 | 701 | 555,5 | 1 | 750 | 2 | 753 | 596,7 |
Vilniaus | 132 | 7555 | 53 | 7740 | 891,4 | 115 | 8430 | 56 | 8601 | 990,6 |
Iš viso Lietuvoje | 482 | 20451 | 132 | 21065 | 729,9 | 371 | 22686 | 153 | 23210 | 804,3 |
Flu Season in the EU and EEA (2024–2025):
- It was an intense flu season, with RSV epidemic occurring simultaneously. COVID-19 activity remained low throughout the season, with no epidemic levels recorded.
- The overall RSV activity in the EU/EEA peaked in week 52 of 2024, then declined and continued until week 15 of 2025.
- The peak flu activity in the EU/EEA was in week 6 of 2025, with all types of flu viruses circulating. At the start of the season, type A flu viruses predominated in most countries, later followed by a mix of A and B or primarily B viruses.
- In some countries, the pattern was reversed, with B viruses dominating early in the season, followed by A.
- Flu affected individuals aged 45 and older more severely, while RSV-related infections primarily affected children under 5 years old.
- The trends observed in Lithuania this season were similar to those in other EU/EEA countries.
A detailed review of this flu season, including comparisons with previous seasons, is currently being prepared. It will be published on the NPHC website in June–July.